Saudi Arabia deports Sheikh Gumi

Saudi Arabian authorities have deported Nigerian Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi back to Nigeria.

According to The Whistler, the cleric was barred from entering Medina, despite holding a valid visa.

The deportation happened as he tried to take part in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

Gumi, who is based in Kaduna, travelled to Saudi Arabia last Saturday night aboard an Umza Air flight.

He was among a group of clerics sent by the Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to offer religious services to pilgrims.

Upon his arrival around 10:30 pm, Saudi immigration officers stopped him at the airport and did not allow him to go past immigration.

He was then deported to Nigeria.

He later shared the experience on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

In the post, Gumi said the decision to send him back was connected to his views on global politics, even though he was granted a visa before traveling.

He also mentioned that Nigerian authorities have promised to speak with Saudi officials to find a solution.

“For some obvious reasons, my views about the world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in Hajj after giving me the Hajj Visa.

“Thanks to the Nigerian authorities who have pledge to takeup the matter immediately with Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.

“I’m now free to attend to my health and farming activities”, he wrote.

This is not the first time Gumi has had trouble with Saudi authorities.

In 2010, he was arrested and kept under house arrest for more than six months over suspected links with Nigerian terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was behind a failed plane bombing attempt on Christmas Day 2009.

Reports at the time claimed that the United States found email messages between Gumi and Abdulmutallab shortly before the attack.

Gumi was first held in Jeddah, later moved to Mecca, and eventually released after Nigeria’s intervention.